West of La Paz near the border with Chile, there is a desert plain out of which rises the snow-capped cone volcano Sajama, found in Parque Nacional Sajama where there are other volcanoes such as The Twins – Parinacota (6330m) and Pomerata (6200m). Sajama is in the northern part of the Cordillera Occidental and is the highest peak in Bolivia. The slopes of this volcano also support the highest forest in the world. Although it is not technically demanding to climb Sajama's high altitude and ice conditions make the peak more challenging than it initially appears.

Please check the gear list to see what you will need to bring for the trip.

For further general information on Bolivia please also look at our fact file.

Day 1: La Paz (3600m) – Sajama village (4220m)

We will drive from La Paz through El Alto and onto the Altiplano (4000m), which is open and dry. We will see people in this area living and herding their llamas. One hour before the village we get our first views of Sajama, lonely by itself. We will stay the night in the village of Sajama and have the opportunity to visit the hot springs.
4 hours driving (LD) Hostel

Day 2: Sajama village – Base camp (4600m)

We will head north from the village of Sajama, walking across the open lands, with views of Sajama in front of us. After a fairly short days walk we will reach base camp.
3 to 4 hours (BLD)

Day 3: Base camp – High camp (5450m)

Walking on rock and moraine we will cross up over a ridge and continue to climb up to high camp. We will make our high camp on a ridge next to a rock tower and have views of the Altiplano.
4 to 5 hours (BLD)

Day 4: High camp – Summit (6549m) – High camp – Base camp

An early start from our high camp as it will be a long day, and we will leave wearing our crampons. We will follow the ridge and climb through snow fields, to finally reach the summit. Where we can see The Twins and on a clear day we can see the Cordillera Real. After a short break we start the descent, stopping at the high camp to meet the porters who will carry all the equipment and personal gear. We will finish the day back at the base camp.
10 to 12 hours (BLD)

Day 5: Base camp – Sajama village – La Paz

We will walk back to Sajama village, where we can shower, rest and have a well earned bear while looking back at what we have done and then we will drive back to La Paz.
2 to 3 hours walking, 4 to 5 hours driving (BL)
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